U SPORTS – TORONTO (U SPORTS) – The Alberta Golden Bears (men’s hockey), UBC Thunderbirds (women’s hockey), Trinity Western Spartans (men’s volleyball) and Alberta Pandas (women’s volleyball) have all been named tournament favourites for the upcoming 2017 U SPORTS Championships, all part of #CHAMPSZN.

CHAMPIONSHIP WEBSITES
Men’s Hockey: http://www.universitycup.ca
Women’s Hockey: http://en.usports.ca/championships/wice/index
Men’s Volleyball: http://en.usports.ca/championships/mvball/index
Women’s Volleyball: http://en.usports.ca/championships/wvball/index

The seedings were announced Sunday for four U SPORTS Championships this week in men’s hockey, women’s hockey, men’s volleyball and women’s volleyball.
 
The 2017 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup will be hosted by the UNB Varsity Reds for the first time since welcoming back-to-back events in 2011 and 2012, while the Alberta Golden Bears host the 2017 U SPORTS FOG Men’s Volleyball Championship for the first time since 2009. The Queen’s Gaels and Ryerson Rams, hosts of the 2017 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship and 2017 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship Presented By Jason Rinaldi, respectively, will organize the national competitions for the first time in program history.

The hockey tournaments both get under way Thursday – at the Aitken University Centre in Fredericton, N.B. (men’s hockey) and the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee, Ont., (women’s hockey), while the volleyball championships commence Friday at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton (men’s volleyball) and the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto (women’s volleyball).

Championship games are scheduled for 1 p.m. AT (12 p.m. ET) in men’s hockey, 4 p.m. ET in women’s volleyball, 7 p.m. ET in in women’s hockey and 6 p.m. MT (8 p.m. ET) in men’s volleyball. The semifinals (12 and 4 p.m. AT/11 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET Saturday) as well as the final of the University Cup will be broadcast live on Sportsnet 360 and SN Now.

Remaining games from all competitions will be webcast on USPORTS.LIVE.

NOTES: Complete championship previews will follow on Tuesday for men’s and women’s hockey, followed by men’s and women’s volleyball on Wednesday. The 2017 U SPORTS All-Canadian Awards galas are set for Wednesday evening for three of the four championships, with the men’s volleyball All-Canadian Awards breakfast scheduled for Thursday morning.  
 
Following are the seedings and schedule for each tournament.

 

2017 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup 
(Aitken University Centre, University of New Brunswick)

 

Looking for their 16th University Cup title and third national banner since 2014, the No.1 Alberta Golden Bears (Canada West champions) are joined in Fredericton by the No.2 StFX X-Men (AUS champions) No.3 York Lions (OUA champions), No.4 Queen’s Gaels (OUA finalists), No.5 UNB Varsity Reds (AUS finalists/hosts), No.6 Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West finalists), No.7 McGill Redmen (OUA bronze medalists), and No.8 Acadia Axemen (AUS bronze medalists). 

 

Thursday’s quarter-final matchups include Alberta vs. Acadia in the 1 p.m. AT opener, followed by Queen’s vs. host UNB at 7 p.m. AT. The other quarterfinals are set for Friday, with York vs. Saskatchewan at 1 p.m. AT, as well as StFX vs. McGill at 7 p.m., AT.

The Golden Bears (18-8-2 regular season), earned their fourth No.1 seed in the last five years, after reclaiming the Canada West banner over Saskatchewan with a 6-3 victory in Game 3 of the conference championship.

 

SEEDING
 

Team (playoff finish: regular season record / playoff record)

1. Alberta Golden Bears (Canada West champions: 18-8-2 / 4-1)
2. StFX X-Men (AUS champions: 16-12-2 / 7-0)
3. York Lions (OUA champions: 18-6-4 / 7-1)
4. Queen’s Gaels (OUA finalists: 18-7-3 / 6-3)
5. UNB Varsity Reds (AUS finalists/hosts: 25-2-3 / 3-3)
6. Saskatchewan Huskies (Canada West finalists: 21-5-2 / 3-2)
7. McGill Redmen (OUA bronze medalists: 21-4-3 / 5-2)
8. Acadia Axemen (AUS bronze medalists: 20-8-2 / 2-3)

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (all times AT)

Wednesday, March 15
5:30 p.m. 2017 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey All-Canadian Awards

Thursday, March 16
1:00 p.m. Quarter-final 1: No.1 Alberta vs. No. 8 Acadia (USPORTS.LIVE)
7 p.m. Quarter-final 2: No.4 Queen’s vs. No. 5 UNB (USPORTS.LIVE)

Friday, March 17
1 p.m. Quarter-final 3: No.3 York vs. No. 6 Saskatchewan (USPORTS.LIVE)
7 p.m. Quarter-final 4: No.2 StFX vs. No.7 McGill (USPORTS.LIVE)

Saturday, March 18
12 p.m. Semifinal 1: Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 2 (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)
4 p.m. Semifinal 2: Winner QF 3 vs. Winner QF 4 (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)

Sunday, March 19
9:30 a.m. Bronze (USPORTS.LIVE)
1:00 p.m. Final (Sportsnet 360/SN Now)

2017 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship
(Strathcona Paper Centre, Napanee, Ont.)

Competing for their first Golden Path Trophy in program history, the No.1 UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West champions) are joined in Napanee, Ont., by the No.2 Guelph Gryphons (OUA champions), No.3 Saint Mary’s Huskies (AUS champions), No.4 McGill Martlets (RSEQ champions), No.5 StFX X-Women (AUS finalists), No.6 Alberta Pandas (Canada West finalists), No.7 Concordia Stingers (RSEQ finalists) and No.8 Queen’s Gaels (Hosts).

Quarterfinals on Thursday include McGill vs. StFX in the 3 p.m. ET opener, followed by UBC vs. host Queen’s at 7 p.m. ET. The action continues Friday, with Saint Mary’s vs. Alberta at 11 a.m. ET and Guelph vs. Concordia at 3 p.m. ET.

The Thunderbirds (23-4-1 regular season) were seeded No.1 for the first time after capturing their second straight Canada West championship, and third in the last five seasons. After losing Game 1 of the best-of-three final to Alberta 2-0, UBC rallied to take the final two games of the series, capped off by a 1-0 shutout on home ice.

SEEDING
 

Team (playoff finish: regular season record / playoff record)

1. UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West champions: 23-4-1 / 4-2)
2. Guelph Gryphons (OUA champions: 20-3-1 / 5-1)
3. Saint Mary’s Huskies (AUS champions: 18-3-3 / 4-2)
4. McGill Martlets (RSEQ champions: 16-4-0 / 4-1)
5. StFX X-Women (AUS finalists: 16-8-0 / 5-3)
6. Alberta Pandas (Canada West finalists: 21-4-3 / 3-2)
7. Concordia Stingers (RSEQ finalists: 10-9-1 / 2-2)
8. Queen’s Gaels (Hosts: 14-8-2 / 1-2)        

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times ET)

Wednesday, March 15
6:30 p.m. 2017 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey All-Canadian Awards

Thursday, March 16
3:00 p.m. Quarter-final 1: No.4 McGill vs. No.5 StFX
7:00 p.m. Quarter-final 2: No.1 UBC vs No.8 Queen’s

Friday, March 17
11:00 a.m. Quarter-final 3: No.3 Saint Mary’s vs No.6 Alberta
3:00 p.m. Quarter-final 4: No. 2 Guelph vs. No. 7 Concordia
7:00 p.m. Consolation 1: Loser QF 1 vs. Loser QF 2

Saturday, March 18
11:00 a.m. Consolation 2: Loser QF 3 vs. Loser QF 4
3:00 p.m. Semifinal 1: Winner QF 1 vs. Winner QF 2 
7:00 p.m. Semifinal 2: Winner QF 3 vs. Winner QF 4

Sunday, March 19
11:00 a.m. 5th-place game
3:00 a.m. Bronze
7:00 p.m. Final 

2017 U SPORTS FOG Men’s Volleyball Championship
(Saville Community Sports Centre, University of Alberta)

In search of their fifth Tantramar Trophy, the No.1 Trinity Western Spartans (Canada West champions) will be joined in Edmonton by the No.2 Manitoba Bisons (Canada West finalists), No.3 UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West bronze medalists), No.4 Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champions), No.5 McMaster Marauders (OUA champions), No.6 UNB Varsity Reds (AUS Champions), No.7 Alberta Golden Bears (Canada West 4th place/hosts) and No.8 Waterloo Warriors (OUA finalists).

The quarter-final matchups on Friday include Trinity Western vs. Waterloo in the 1 p.m. MT opener, followed by Laval vs. McMaster at 2:30 p.m. MT, Manitoba vs. host Alberta at 6:30 p.m. MT, as well as UBC vs. UNB at 8 p.m., MT.

The defending U SPORTS champion Spartans (21-3 regular season) earned No.1 status by knocking off Manitoba in a five-set thriller on the Bisons’ home court, earning the team’s second consecutive Canada West title and fourth overall. The two teams occupied the No.1 ranking in 12 of 16 coaches’ polls this season.

SEEDING
 

Team (playoff finish: regular season record / playoff record)

1. Trinity Western Spartans (Canada West champions: 21-3 / 4-0)
2. Manitoba Bisons (Canada West finalists: 21-3 / 1-1)
3. UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West bronze medalists: 16-8 / 3-1)
4. Laval Rouge et Or (RSEQ champions: 15-2 / 2-1)
5. McMaster Marauders (OUA champions: 17-0 / 3-0)
6. UNB Varsity Reds (AUS Champions: 9-8 / 2-0)
7. Alberta Golden Bears (Canada West 4th place/hosts: 20-4/ 2-2)
8. Waterloo Warriors (OUA finalists: 9-8 / 2-1)

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times MT)

Friday, March 17
8:00 a.m. 2017 U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball All-Canadian Awards
 

1:00 p.m. Quarter-final #1: No.1 Trinity Western vs. No. 8 Waterloo (USPORTS.LIVE)
2:30 p.m. Quarter-final #2: No.4 Laval vs. No.5 McMaster (USPORTS.LIVE)
6:30 p.m. Quarter-final #3: No.2 Manitoba vs. No. 7 Alberta (USPORTS.LIVE)
8:00 p.m. Quarter-final #4: No.3 UBC vs No.6 UNB (USPORTS.LIVE)

Saturday, March 18
1:00 p.m. Consolation #1: Loser QF #1 vs. Loser QF #2 (USPORTS.LIVE)
2:30 p.m. Consolation #2: Loser QF #3 vs. Loser QF #4 (USPORTS.LIVE)
6:30 p.m. Semifinal #1: Winner QF #1 vs. Winner QF #2 (USPORTS.LIVE)
8:00 p.m. Semifinal #2: Winner QF #3 vs. Winner QF #4 (USPORTS.LIVE)

Sunday, March 19
12:00 p.m. 5th place (USPORTS.LIVE)
3:00 p.m. Bronze medal (USPORTS.LIVE)
6:00 p.m. Championship final (USPORTS.LIVE)

2017 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship Presented By Jason Rinaldi
(Mattamy Athletic Centre, Ryerson University)

Rounding out the draw for the Women’s Volleyball Championship, the No.1 Alberta Pandas (Canada West champions) will be joined in Toronto by the No. 2 McMaster Marauders (OUA champions), No.3 UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West finalists), No.4 Montreal Carabins (RSEQ Champions), No.5 Dalhousie Tigers (AUS Champions), No.6 Western Mustangs (OUA finalists), No.7 Trinity Western Spartans (Canada West bronze medalists), and No.8 Ryerson Rams (OUA 4th place/hosts).

The Pandas (22-2 regular season) were tabbed as the team to beat after earning the school’s 11th conference gold medal and first since 2012, via a 3-1 victory on home court over UBC on Saturday. Alberta last won the U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball title in 2007, after capturing six straight from 1995-2000. 

SEEDING

Team (playoff finish: regular season record / playoff record)

1. Alberta Pandas (Canada West champions: 22-2 / 2-0)
2. McMaster Marauders (OUA champions: 16-3 / 3-0)
3. UBC Thunderbirds (Canada West finalists: 20-4 / 3-1)
4. Montreal Carabins (RSEQ Champions: 15-5 / 4-0)
5. Dalhousie Tigers (AUS Champions: 19-1 / 2-0)
6. Western Mustangs (OUA finalists: 15-4 / 2-1)
7. Trinity Western Spartans (Canada West bronze medalists: 21-3 / 3-1)
8. Ryerson Rams (OUA 4th place/hosts: 15-4 / 1-2)

SCHEDULE & RESULTS (All times ET)

Wednesday, March 15
7:00 p.m. 2017 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball All-Canadian Awards

Friday, March 17
12:00 p.m. Quarter-final #1: No.2 McMaster vs. No.7 Trinity Western (USPORTS.LIVE)
2:00 p.m. Quarter-final #2: No.3 UBC vs No.6 Western (USPORTS.LIVE)
6:00 p.m. Quarter-final #3: No.1 Alberta vs. No.8 Ryerson (USPORTS.LIVE)
8:00 p.m. Quarter-final #4: No.4 Montreal vs. No.5 Dalhousie (USPORTS.LIVE)

Saturday, March 18
12:00 p.m. Consolation #1: Loser QF #1 vs. Loser QF #2 (USPORTS.LIVE)
2:00 p.m. Consolation #2: Loser QF #3 vs. Loser QF #4 (USPORTS.LIVE) 
6:00 p.m. Semifinal #1: Winner QF #1 vs. Winner QF #2 (USPORTS.LIVE)
8:00 p.m. Semifinal #2: Winner QF #3 vs. Winner QF #4 (USPORTS.LIVE)

Sunday, March 19
10:00 a.m. 5th place (USPORTS.LIVE)
1:00 p.m. Bronze medal (USPORTS.LIVE)
4:00 p.m. Championship final (USPORTS.LIVE)

About U SPORTS

U SPORTS is the national brand for University Sports in Canada. Every year, over 12,000 student-athletes and 500 coaches from 56 universities vie for 21 national  championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides higher performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit usports.ca or follow us on:

Twitter: @USPORTSca
Facebook: @USPORTSCanada
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Snapchat: @USPORTSca

For further information, please contact:

Ken Saint-Eloy
Manager, Communications
U SPORTS
Cell: 647-871-7595
ksainteloy@usports.ca 

Alan Hudes 
Coordinator, Communications
U SPORTS
Off: 905-508-3000 ext. 242
Cell: 647-991-5343
ahudes@usports.ca

2017 U SPORTS Cavendish Farms University Cup
Andy Campbell
University of New Brunswick
Off: 506-451-6894
Cell: 506-470-5578
andy.campbell@unb.ca 

2017 U SPORTS Women’s Hockey Championship
Shawn MacDonald
Queen’s University
Off: 613-533-6000 ext. 36990
Cell: 613-484-6763
shawn.macdonald@queensu.ca   

2017 U SPORTS FOG Men’s Volleyball Championship
Connor Hood
University of Alberta
Off: 780-492-7214
Cell: 780-935-6276
hood@ualberta.ca

2017 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship Presented by Jason Rinaldi
Andrea Elliott
Ryerson University
Off: 416-979-5000 Ext. 3042
Cell: 647-621-6495
andrea.elliott@ryerson.ca